Working at a nonprofit that serves a community as large and diverse as Fresno County is no easy task. But the managers and staff that make each program run like a well-oiled machine made it look easy; they shared their program’s first quarter accomplishments and challenges during last week’s Leadership Forum. Among the accomplishments: the hiring of Head Start’s new Health Services Director, Marie Sani, and Sanctuary and Youth Services Shelter manager Misty Gattie-Blanco; the upcoming graduation of LCC’s YouthBuild Charter School – Fresno’s first class; and the opening of Food Services new facility, to name a few.

Managers also shared anecdotes – powerful and moving stories on how each program has positively impacted the lives of our clients. Patrick Turner, with Employment and Training, told the group of a young man who was re-incarcerated and has since been mentored by Jon Fernandez, Building and Maintenance Instructor for our Incarcerated Youth Program. This young man, he says, has absorbed so much knowledge that this summer he may serve as the program’s on-site program supervisor.

The forum included a presentation by Fresno Business Council’s Deborah Nankivell and Kenneth Newby titled “Key Elements of a Prosperous and Healthy Community.” The duo touched on the community values that make up our region and explained how three spheres – economic development, infrastructure development, and human development – work together to sustain a successful region.

To all of our employees who make our Agency run smoothly and are key to helping us fulfill our mission of “Helping People. Changing Lives.”, thank you!